I looked into Isokern too & here is what I found: Most Crackerbarrel restaurants on the East Coast have a 72 " wide Isokern in them. A real woodburning fireplace that gets used in every CrackerBarrel especially during wintertime. These units are like modified Rumford style fireplaces, they really put out HEAT. Isokern East Coast distributor is in Jacksonville, Fl & they have several regional offices. Yes, the item is imported from Denmark, they have a recommendation list featuring Trump Towers, Marriott & Ritz Carlton & Cracker Barrel. They have a model called Fire Lite which can be built on a combustable floor as long as it has engineered truss floor to support 2,000 lbs. Most new homes have this truss bearing load built in to their houses without requesting it. They can also be built in almost 96% of the basements on the East Coast as the Code requires 3500psi concrete in the IRC2003 code book. The indor units are dealer installed, the outdoor patio models may be installed by your Mason. They vent this model (Fire Lite) into a Metal round 14" dual lined chimney. The other Isokern models also support a Brick Ledge so that Brick doesn't have to run all the way to the footers. They (Isokern) have several models ranging from a patio models to indor models from 36 to 72" wide hearths. NONE of these units will take an insert. They are strictly designed to be real OPEN use fire burners or to be used with a gas burning log kit. The thing I like is that you can have the option of either in an Isokern. Perfect for my woodburning days now & we I can't slog the load of logs anymore, I will convert the unit to propane (should it still be available :>)) The FireRock fireplaces are more of an West Coast fireplace company; haven't seen many units on the east coast so I can't comment on them. Here is a link that might be useful: Isokern & Why I chose Isokern

Andee - THe unit is 1'6" deep at the right end, and 1'3" deep at the left/tv end. The fireplace has two columns flanking it that are the same depth as the left side of the unit where it meets, so there will be an easy transition point there. Not sure what we'll do with the hearth edge yet... Looks like the consensus is for dark. I think it will work! We also have a dark desk/pantry area on the wall, so when you're looking from the island you'll see a dark wall unit and this dark cabinetry which will relate nicely. Thanks everyone, you made the decision much easier!!!

If we are to assume that this is the only place for the tv, I would alter this section over the fireplace. I am noting your nice details of the built ins. I would remove the doors and have the hole closed off with wood and similar trim to the bookcases. Hang the tv on the outside of this. YOu can deal with the fireplace separately.

This is the current setup at home , anyone can help give ideas for wall unit with fireplace?